Monday, December 8, 2008

Classical Music doesn't get a lot of press out of the Grammy's. You never see a classical artist leading the list for most nominations. However, it is worth noting the artists up for best classical album this year.

If you've not listened to these albums, you really need to. The music is amazing, the performances are first rate and how the Grammy's are going to choose between them is beyond me. Part of me is rooting for Hilary, but when I listened to the Weill or the "Maria" I was stunned at how beautiful the albums were. It really is an amazing collection of music.

I'm not as impressed with this selection, but that could be the music and not the performance. I really enjoy the Walden Symphony No. 1, but it's not of the class (IMHO) of the other pieces. The music is lovely neo-romantic music with occasional jazz influences, but not strickingly new music. In many respects the music is very similar to my own symphony, some nice melodies, some interesting elements, but not really new. But it's a first symphony.

If my comments sounds slightly like sour grapes (Chris Walden got nominated for a Grammy with his first symphony; I'm still working on getting noticed), I hope not. His symphony is better than mine, musically - and certainly his recording is. It's not that his music isn't good, it is, it's interesting and very enjoyable to listen to. It just doesn't push the bounds of music that I think a new work should. Regardless, this is a huge honor for Chris and I wish him all the best.

The only recording of these I have listened to is Rise And Fall Of The City Of Mahagonny work, and it is also the only one also up for Best Classical Album which bodes well for it winning this category (if not also Best Classical Album). However, that said, I really love the operas Eugene Onegin and L'Orfeo so again I am torn as to who I would like to see win.